PBA: Rain or Shine fends off Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, TNT
Rain or Shine import Demetrius Treadwell against TNT in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Rain or Shine used a strong finishing kick on Friday night to take down perennial title contender TNT, 119-112, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Elastopainters turned to import Tree Treadwell inside the final three minutes of the critical clash at Smart Araneta Coliseum, annexing a fifth straight win for a 5-5 record in the standings that kept the club in the running for a playoff spot.
“Maganda rin sa amin na matuto kaming manalo doon sa game na dikdigan hanggang huli. We’re a young team, we need games like this to toughen us up,” head coach Yeng Guiao said in the post-game presser.
“I think with this win, we can look forward to the playoffs,” he added.
Treadwell finished with 25 points and 24 rebounds, while Andrei Caracut was solid yet again with 23 points. Rey Nambatac added 19 as Rain or Shine brace for a Converge side battling for pride to end its elimination round schedule.
New TNT import Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, TNT’s replacement import and the brother of original choice Rondae, delivered 50 points and 16 rebounds, while Calvin Oftana tossed in 37 more in the losing stand that pushed the Tropang Giga’s mark to 4-6, just barely within the qualifying threshold for the knockout stages.
It was a stunning victory for the Elastopainters, who dropped their first five games in the conference struggling with original import DaJuan Summers.
The contest also featured some color towards the end with Rondae figuring in an altercation with Rain or Shine.
“That’s a dangerous thing to pull. ‘Di ko alam kung anong nangyari sa kanya, tinopak ‘yung gag*. It was a nice game, I think the fans would love a [tightly contested] game like that. Maybe he just got emotional or frustrated. But you don’t take (your emotions) out that way,” said Guiao.
TNT will have one more chance to firm up its chances of advancing when it battles Phoenix Super LPG on Jan. 14.
